Chapter 21: A Night For Surprises
A/N: Thanks for all my reviews! I really love them, they are my bread and butter! I LIVE OFF OF THEM! I LOVE YOU!
"What kind of things do we need to talk about?" Ebony questioned.
"There are things which I have yet to tell you. Things about them past." Snape breathed. He knew it was time.
"Like wh-"
"First of all, know that everything I have kept from you thus far has been for your own good. You never know who you can trust, even at Hogwarts."
"What have you kept?" Ebony's heart raced. What could I possibly not know?
"Voldemort rose to power quickly and furiously. He gathered supporters almost as fast as he was killing victims."
The tone had changed. Ebony could feel the seriousness entangle her as she listened to Snape's gentle voice guiding her into the past.
"The vampires, with a reputation for darkness, automatically sided with the Dark Lord. They made a bond, which was their biggest mistake. The Dark Lord was not to harm any vampire, friend or foe to the cause and the vampires would do all that they could to hunt and kill all those who opposed Voldemort.
At this time all vampires-when they discovered they were such-were apart of a coven. The coven leader at this time was a man by the name of Nathaniel. He was the eldest of the vampires and so the strongest.
And so, as all stories go, the bad gets worse. Voldemort betrayed our kind. He ordered the death of Nathaniel's sister, a supported of Dumbledore's secret society-the Order of the Phoenix.
When Nathaniel heard of his sister's death he wept for hours, refusing any assistance. His sister was the one person whom he truly had cared for. He slowly wasted away and died. Many say it was of a broken heart. Before he died, he vowed that no vampire was to support anyone's cause any longer.
Once he died, the vampire nation went into a frenzy. Pieces broke, but none who supported Voldemort. Everyone had felt the pain of Nathaniel's loss.
Years later, when our precious Potter was able to survive the Avada Kedavra curse a prophesy was made. It was this:
On a full moon, look outside,
Follow the stars to the one who must hide.
See a vampire in the woods,
Help her out, that you should.
Teach her to be the very best,
For she was born to surpass the rest.
If you fail your truthful task
You will die, oh so fast.
She was born to be the Queen,
And you her teacher, yes indeed.
This prophesy was made to me by our own Professor Telwrany. I was supposed to wait and watch for the signs. Ever since I began teaching at Hogwarts I never encountered anyone who fit the description. When I learned your name I was curios, but when I saw you in the forest, I knew. You are the chosen one. You will be the greatest vampire of all."
These words shocked Ebony. Tears streamed down her face. The pain for her ancestors affected her deeply.
"What was her name?"
"Whose?"
"Nathaniel's sister."
"Ebony, Ebony was her name. you see, you are the one."
Ebony couldn't ignore the connection, but she felt fake. Her insides were burning with rejection.
"B-but I can't be the one. I just can't." she sobbed, new tears flowing form her eyes unto her cheeks.
"Why not?" Snape couldn't help but wonder at her reaction.
"I'm not who you think I am."
"Any who are you?" Snape smiled, he tried to appease her.
"You really want to know? My name is Hermione Elizabeth Granger."
And with that she told him her whole story. It just spilled forth, flowing, unstopping.
Snape was shocked, amused and simply started at her in wonderment. He now understood her reluctance to get close to anyone, her fearful nature and her mysterious appearance to Hogwarts. He also knew that Dumbledore could have just as easily told him. No he mused he wouldn't have...he would have wanted her to tell me herself, in her own time.
When Ebony had finished, she felt drained. She had wanted for so long to tell someone her secret, but knew how dangerous it was. All she could think of was how good it felt.
"Why didn't you tell me before or have Dumbledore tell me, for surely he knows?"
"I've never spoken a word to Dumbledore about it, but I was sure he knew from the beginning. The reason I never told you was because I didn't think I could trust you. Learn from you, yes, but never trust you."
"So you planned to use me while you could, then forget me once you graduated? Did you ever wonder why I tried to help you."
"Yes, but I figured it was some vampiric code or something. I never expected to…" she broke off into silence.
"To what?" Snape asked, curious now.
"To actually care about you." Ebony almost whispered it. She had no idea why she had said it, only that it was true.
Snape was shocked. He had not expected such an admission from her. Well, just a night for surprises, yes?
"Well, Ebony, no matter who you were last summer, last year, you are still you. Your name could change to Sunshine and I would still feel the way I do about you."
"Which is?"
"In a way I shouldn't."
Snape could feel himself losing control. He had no thoughts now, he was so wrapped up in her. He could see the awareness come into her eyes and smiled.
He leaned in closer and was surprised when she didn't move away. When his mouth was a breath away, he stopped.
This is crazy he thought, then jumped over the edge.
Her mouth was hot and rich. She tasted of some exotic spice. He had no idea how much he thirsted, how deeply he had hungered until this moment. She was everything he had imagined and more.
She felt desire rip through her, fast and hard. Here was new, uncharted territory. Even as she gave, she took more than ever before. Here was a man, no fumbling boyish need, but strong passionate hunger.
They both felt the heat increase considerably. They both knew they wanted more. And because they both knew it, they backed away.
"I think we both have a lot to think about." Snape told her as he got up and left the room.
Draco found his father pacing, which was something he never did.
"Is anything wrong father?" Draco's concerned voice brought Lucius' attention to focus.
"No, not at all." He stared at his son and proceeded.
"The Dark Lord will be here shortly. You are to be initiated as a Death Eater."
Draco knew this day would be coming. While he knew that this was his destiny, he felt some piece of himself dread the upcoming event. His childhood was now a thing of the past and he would soon engage into a new world full of responsibility and loyalty. He hated the idea of every move he made was to be controlled by one man, for one purpose.
Years of training, however, had taught him to school his tongue.
"Yes. Father. How do we being the preparations?"
Hours later, Draco lay awake in bed. The arm where the dark mark had been branded into his flesh ached and throbbed. Draco welcomed the pain as it was some small companion. The loneliness he felt engulfed him completely. He thought of the past year, of Ebony and he wondered what she was doing at that very moment.
Ebony wasn't sleeping either. The events of that day circled about in her mind.
Draco, the prophesy, Voldemort, Snape…they ran through her until she thought she would explode. The prophesy and all its possibilities were beginning to sink it.
What will happen to me? She wondered. She felt safe at the moment but the knowledge that her destiny was preordained gave her knew found strength and vulnerability.
Her mind was brought to Snape. The memory of their kiss still lingered in her mind and on her lips.
And what the hell am I supposed to do about him?
A/N: YES, cliffy! I Love them (mainly b/c they keep you in suspense so you will read the next chappy…) plz R&R